AN August update by the Canberra Hospital on workforce planning initiatives, as required by the Royal Australia and NZ College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG), reveals that more staff have left the unit since it was placed on provisional six-month accreditation in June.

Two full time equivalent (FTE) staff have left or reduced their hours in the unit, including an unaccredited registrar and an ITP (integrated training program) registrar – offsetting small gains in recruitment.

The workforce planning update highlights that Canberra Hospital wants to increase the number of permanent staff by at least 16.5 FTE by early February 2024.

“Despite Canberra Hospital failing to meet five out of the six standards set by RANZCOG the hospital has lost another two FTE.  Instead, they have plugged gaps with short-term locums – one to three unaccredited registrars and a VMO,” said Canberra Liberals health spokesperson, Leanne Castley

“CHS is in danger of losing its training accreditation for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit altogether.

“Losing experienced staff and hiring temporary locums to fill this gap is not a sustainable way to manage a unit as important as Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”